Changes in the Boston Red Sox Roster
The saga surrounding Boston’s Rafael Devers seems to have taken another turn.
Jordan Hicks, a right-handed pitcher who joined the Red Sox through a major trade involving Devers, is now set to head to the White Sox. Alongside him will be fellow righty David Sandlin, as reported by Jeff Passan from ESPN.
Additionally, Gage Zeal, a former Yankees prospect sent to Chicago for Austin Slater during the last trade deadline, is expected to join the Red Sox, according to Chris Cotillo from MassLive.
Cotillo noted that the White Sox will send $8 million to Boston to partially cover Hicks’ remaining salary of $24 million over the next two seasons.
This trade allows Boston to reduce their payroll burdens after a flurry of offseason signings, including the acquisition of notable left-handers Ranger Suarez and Willson Contreras. It provides the White Sox some newfound financial flexibility after dealing center fielder Luis Robert Jr. to the Mets.
Hicks, now 29, made a name for himself as a power pitcher following his debut with the Cardinals back in 2018.
His recent career saw him sign a four-year, $44 million deal with the Giants for the 2024 season, transitioning from a bullpen role to a starting position.
Despite high expectations, Hicks struggled to maintain his earlier success, recording a 4.10 ERA in 29 games in 2024, which was then followed by a particularly tough year where he ended up with a 6.47 ERA in just 13 games with San Francisco before being traded to Boston amidst ongoing issues at third base.
In his time with the Red Sox, Hicks moved back to the bullpen but could not regain his form, ending up with an 8.20 ERA across 21 appearances.
Along with Hicks, Sandlin, a 24-year-old pitcher who holds the distinction of being the eighth-best prospect in the Red Sox system by MLB.com, has also been released. His ERA stood at 4.50 between Double-A and Triple-A.
As for Zeal, the 22-year-old was drafted in the fourth round by the Yankees and recently finished the 2025 season with the White Sox’s High-A team, posting a 4.01 ERA in six starts. He ranks as the 14th-best prospect in the Chicago system.
